Get your new year off to a great start with these organization tips!

#1 – Establish a toy “jail”

A toy jail is a place where bad little toys go and live for an extended stay because they weren’t picked up! This is a superb idea for helping to motivate your little one’s to keep on top of toy pick up. Whether you establish a toy jail, penalty box or time out area, simply create a place where your children know their favorite toys will go and stay for a while if they aren’t picked up when asked.” (This fabulous idea comes simplify 101 – Thank you!)

Tip #2 – Clear the Clutter

1. Acknowledge that you have a problem with stuff.
2. Decide that you are ready to make a change.
3. De-clutter, drawer by drawer, closet by closet – haul it away.
4. Find a place or individual that will benefit from your stuff (Good Will, Salvation Army, your church, etc.)

Tip #3 – Everything in its place

Everything in its place. So how do you do it? It’s simple. For everything that you own, designate a place for it. You can even label some of those places, to make it easier to remember. Find something that doesn’t have a place? Designate a place for it. Then simply put things back where they belong when you’re done using them. It sounds simple, but it actually takes a lot of practice to get this habit down. Read this article for more.

Tip #4 – do a little at a time

Just like you eat an elephant one bite at a time, so, too, do you organize your life one day at a time, one thing at a time. If you feel disorganized, you didn’t get that way overnight. So don’t expect to get organized overnight. Or even in one week.

Tip #5 – Own what you love

Just because somebody you love gave you something doesn’t mean you have to display it or, in my case, even keep it if it’s not to your taste. I’m ruthless about this and feel it’s much better to pass it on to someone who will appreciate it more or to someplace that can use it. I can honestly say that in my house we only have things we really like. Martin doesn’t always agree with all of my things and I may not always agree on all of his but at least someone in our household loves it.

Tip #6 Never Lose Your Keys/MP3/Checkbook/Cell Phone/Pacifier Again

Clearly not every item that you need to monitor can be stuck to cork board with a pushpin or hung from your front door by a cute, pink magnet. But keeping track of the things that keep you on track – and on time… Find a location – perhaps by the front door – and a system that works for you, and then stick to it. If you choose a hook for keys, use it each and every time you walk in the door. If your husband is scrambling each morning to find his wallet, make sure he puts it in the same catchall each evening. There is nothing better than finally getting shoes on each and every kid and being able to reach for your sunglasses to find them exactly where you left them.

I loved this idea Rachel sent to us:

I was always rushed for time when my son was young and this idea was a huge time saver for us. I bought the large zip top bags and wrote each day of the week on its own bag. On Sunday evening (the day I usually did laundry) each bag was packed with a shirt, pair of pants, socks, and underwear. In the time it takes to fold the laundry you have to fold anyway, you have the entire week’s worth of outfits ready to go!

Tip #7 Less Stuff=Less Cleaning

The most important thing-The less stuff you have the easier it is to clean and straighten.

Tip #8 Throw away 730 Items

One of my goals for the new year is to get rid of 730 items in my home. Why 730? That averages out to be 2 items per day for the 365 day year. That’s a whole lotta stuff! I’m not talking about regular trash or food items, either.

Tip #11 Stop using Post-it notes

Stop using Post-its to remind yourself of important information. They’re just to easy to lose and they’re ugly when plastered all over your monitor. Instead, keep a little notebook on your desk to write down reminder notes.

Tip #12 Quick Clean Up Game

Set a Timer for Quick Clean Ups – Many days I will give myself 15 minutes and run thru a few rooms and just pick up stray times, fluff and straighten the room. You’ll be surprised how often this will motivate you to keep going. Get the kids to help – make it a game!

Tip #14 – Don’t Let it Sit!

Don’t Let it sit for later (clean up asap)- a mess is much easier to clean up when it happens. Once food or dirt is allowed to dry or soak in, it’s going to take a lot more time and elbow grease to clean it later.

A mother of 5 who holds a degree in English and run on sentences. She has a passion for photography, especially capturing life's sweet moments. She has a serious addiction to Oreos, coconut oil and sushi...not necessarily all at the same time. She is one of the 3 founders of HowDoesShe.com.
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January 29th, 2010 at 11:19 amSu@The Intentional Home says:wow. . what a resource and what motivation. I am just now stumbling across your blog. I like to take a 1/2 hour or so on Fridays to surf around and find new blogs. I am gonna post a link to this post. Thanks for the time you gave this.

February 15th, 2011 at 7:30 pmHolli says:I'm starting spring cleaning early this year. I'm instituting "toy jail" and also offering a bail program, lol. The kids are going to get play money for each chore they complete and that money can be used to "bail" a toy out. I'm hoping it also teaches the value of money.

January 11th, 2012 at 7:22 amHM says:Most of us have a steel door entering our homes, when I do not want to forget something when leaving the house, I have a magnet on the door and attach a note. Works for everyone in the family...we even color code (post-em notes) for each family member.

Although Alison, Missy & Shelley started HowDoesShe in 2009, the real backbone of HowDoesShe is its many talented female writers and contributors from all over the United States and Canada, sharing both personal and professional articles and tutorials on how to be amazing women. Read more...